Glad it helped!

Absolutely; the last thing we'd want is another jacket to end up on a landfill when a simple wash will do!

Hi Peter and g'day! Thanks for watching.

Thanks very much!

You're welcome!

I've personally used tennis balls and found it worked absolutely fine. We do stock a down washing kit by Grangers which includes little washing balls specifically for this purpose which would most likely work better, though (link below). And that's correct, we did use a wool cycle just to be safe. Kind regards, Harry. www.trekitt.co.uk/36117/products/grangers-down-wash-kit.aspx

No problem!

It's called Tenacious Tape. We do stock it normally but we're completely out at the moment. Harry

Woohoo! Glad that worked out for you.

Nikwax is pretty gentle stuff and won't harm your jacket if it comes in direct contact with it. Either throw it in or pop it in a washing ball, either works! Harry.

A tumble dryer does make the process a lot easier, but if that really isn't an option you can line dry your jacket on a sunny day and spend more time breaking apart the down clumps that form, but this will be a pretty long process. A hairdryer is another alternative that can help finish off the drying process to get the down as fluffy as possible.

Good to hear!

Hey Dabbsy, if you can send us details of your jacket we may be able to help.

@@trekitt hello what is the best way to remove stains from a padded jacket I have got some dark blue pen stains on it and not sure how to go about removing them thank you I don't want to use thinner incase it removes the jackets colour too.

Made a note; we'll see if we can get it arranged. Harry

Hey Roger, follow the same steps as in this video but miss out the 'pulling the down clumps apart' bit. This is a great product which will wash and reapply the DWR in one step: www.trekitt.co.uk/clothing/product-care/grangers-clothing-wash-and-repel-300ml__39994

Thanks for that. I also have a Mountain Equipment Frontier jacket which I will wash with it. As it's softshell do you think I should reproof that too?

@@burt5057 Pour a little water on it - if it beads and runs off, it won't need a reproof; if the water sinks in, it could do with a top-up.

Thanks again. Wasn't sure if it would work with softshells.

Yes, Nikwax Down Wash will work on GTX covered jackets. If the outer is heavily soiled you may want to spot clean the outer with neat Down Wash before placing it in the washing machine.

Hi JJ, there's very little point in tumble drying it dry. If the down is stuck together and the jacket is dry, tumble drying alone won't separate the clumps; it'll need washing and drying again. If the jacket hasn't been washed and it simply needs re-lofting, it'll also need to be washed and dried from scratch. Harry

You can, but in all honesty I'd ask a friend if you can borrow their tumble drier, or take it to a laundromat. It will loft far more effectively with less effort this way. Harry

Hi Dani, The Jacket that featured in the video was 10 years old or more and had never been washed. The NikWax Down Wash Direct did a very good job of getting rid off of the years of built-up grime, however, for stains what we would suggest is to dampen and pretreat the stain by massaging in a small amount of neat Down Wash Direct into the area and letting this sit for about 15 to 20 mins before starting the washing cycle. This isn't a guaranteed to work but may help with lifting the stain without using harsh detergents that could damage the jacket. All the best, Will

It will add the DWR (durable water repellent) back to the outer as well as wash the garment. Regards, Harry

You really do need to use a tumble drier to get the best results, so try your local laundrette, or a specialist cleaning service from Rab or Scottish Mountain Gear. Thanks for watching. Paul.

What to do if you don’t have a local laundromat and don’t have a tumble dryer

@@parmdhillon3984 you beat the jacket up by yourself

I would give it another go, but just make sure the sleeve doesn't turn inside-out during the drying process. Removing the jacket from the dryer frequently and pulling apart the down clumps is arguably the most important bit, so spend plenty of time on that! Harry

Hi, I have no experience of such machines, but if it has a gentle cycle then it would be OK. If you are at all in doubt then hand washing is always an option, or send the garment away to a specialist cleaning company.

This will depend on the individual garment, we'd always recommend reading the care instructions on the label. If there is no specific temperature there, then we would always recommend erring on the side of caution and using a low heat setting.

I'm afraid that washing won't help. The "brown/black" feathers that you can see are exactly that, black and brown feathers showing through the lightweight fabric, the technical term is "grinning". Jackets that use high quality, pure goose down, suffer far less from grinning as the down itself is much whiter. I'm afraid that it's a result of using cheaper feather and down mixtures rather than pure goose down. Paul.

It's completely normal for down/feathers to poke through the fabric slightly. The best thing to do is to push them back in (don't pull them out!). Drying unfortunately won't help. Harry

@@trekitt oh dear! Thank you for your reply though, it’s very kind of you !

Push the down back in. As soon as you pull it out, it creates a larger hole and exaggerates the problem.

Pick a nice warm sunny day and allow the garment to air dry, laid open and flat on a rack if possible. Just like in the video you will need to periodically give it a good shake and break apart the down clumps but doing this every hour or so. This will take considerably longer, but you will still be able to achieve good results if done correctly. Alternatively, you could pop around a friends house and kindly ask to use their tumble drier (socially distancing of course). The other option would be to send you jacket off to be cleaned, Rab, for example, offer a down washing service. Kind regards, Harry.

@@trekitt Cant thank you enough for all of your so informative videos! I have one such jacket i was scared to wear since i had to wash it first lol and i never owned a down jacket before so i didnt want to ruin it by washing it incorrectly. So basicly the washing resedue should be something without bleach or anything that removes oils, right? Can liquid soap also get the job done?

That's correct, bleach will strip the water repellent coatings and degrade the fabrics over time. Pure soap flakes will do the job, but for peace of mind I'd still recommend something specific like Nikwax Tech Wash or Grangers Performance Wash. If bought it larger quantities (Tech Wash comes in a 5L tub), it only works out around 70p a wash. Kind regards, Harry.

If the tray is washed out properly, it doesn't necessarily matter which one is used.

If you dry your jacket on too high of heat, it can cause some of the fibers to melt and make it all lumpy from the fibers clumping together. If it’s really wrecked, there’s not a lot you can do. But if it’s somewhat okay, just try washing it again and then redrying it on LOW heat with dryer balls. If your dryer won’t do that, then I recommend going to a laundromat or taking it to a laundry service.

Freshly washed ideally. If it's dry the down may have already clumped together and will need another wash & tumble dry right after.

You can use anything similar. I'd probably just next-day a couple off eBay for a fiver and keep them for the next time you need to wash it. Harry

www.trekitt.co.uk/equipment/repairs/gear-aid-tenacious-tape-max-flex-patch__37544

You'd be better off washing & drying again to get best results. It'll be pretty difficult to pull apart the clumps when dry. Harry

It sounds like the down isn't yet dry enough to loft properly. Pop it back into the drier, on a low setting until the down starts to loft and then hang it up in a dry warm place (airing cupboard) for 24 hours, and it should be fine. Paul.

You'll ideally have to wash it again and find a mate with a drier. It can be dried out without but it's difficult and I personally wouldn't attempt it. Failing that, a laundromat. Harry

Yup, wash again according to the steps in this video and pay close attention to the 'pulling down apart' stages. The drying process really is the one that makes all the difference. Harry

@@trekitt thank you!! Any additional tips that you might have if the down jacket is waterproof on the outside? I’ve been washing it inside out as recommended on the label instructions

@@kaye295 The process is the same, but you may benefit from using Grangers Down Wash & Repel - this will wash the down but also replenish the water repellent coating. www.trekitt.co.uk/clothing/washing-water-repellency-care/grangers-wash-repel-down-2-in-1-300ml__40003

@@trekitt Hi Harry. Thought I’d ask for more advice on my waterproof down. Took it for a tumble dry today however there are still chunky clumps forming and it’s really hard for me to distribute it evenly to the flat spaces as the outer material is quite firm. Any advice? And will the clumps eventually loosen once it air drys?

@@kaye295 The key is taking it out of the tumble drier every 10-20 mins or so to pull apart those clumps. Pull apart from the inside (if possible) if the outer is too stiff. The clumps will break apart slightly but realistically you'll want to try and get as many out as possible during the drying process.

The process will work with most gentle soaps that don't contain bleach/softeners or perfumes. Essentially, just try to find one with the least amount of artificial ingredients.

@@trekitt Thanks!!

Inside out, or the right way round, either will be fine.

@@trekitt ok thanks

During the washing process, they bounce off the jacket to 're-loft' the down; a bit like giving it a good shake but with far less effort and generally better results. Harry.

Not the sharpest pencil in the drawer eh!?

Nikwax Tech Wash or Grangers Performance Wash. www.trekitt.co.uk/clothing/washing-water-repellency-care/nikwax-tech-wash-1-litre__2467 www.trekitt.co.uk/equipment/washing-water-repellency-care/grangers-performance-wash-1l-pouch__50971

We'd recommend either Grangers or Nikwax. Wouldn't use a regular detergent.

Unfortunately it's quite difficult to have both Hannah & Paul available for filming on the same day, but where possible we will aim to get a Women's video done as well as a Men's; it may just be a week or so apart. Kind regards, Harry.

Trekitt Hi Harry. Fully understand with the filming 👍 keep them coming and stay safe 🙂

Hi, I suspect the discolouration is due to the face fabric wetting out. You can replace the DWT with any of the products mentioned in the video.

@@trekitt which one would you recommend? I also have seen from people their yellow north face jackets are having the same problems

Nikwax spray on TX Direct or Grangers Performance Repel Plus. Yellow is always a tricky colour with down jackets, especially if the fabric is very light, as it allows "grinning", where you can see the brown pigment of the down/feathers through the fabric.

Unfortunately we don't tend to stock many white outdoor products, but if we find something appropriate then we'll consider it in the future. From the nature of your question we're guessing you have a white puffer that's in need of a wash? The instructions here will be the same, unfortunately white garments tend to get grubbier and show stains easier which can be frustrating.

It'll be small pieces of down rather than cotton - these can make their way through the stitching and is perfectly normal. There's really no way to stop it, but if you can, try to push it back in rather than pull it out. Harry

The same product - down wash from Nikwax. Tech Wash also works. Harry

The best advice is to always follow the manufacturers advice, so hand washing will be fine.

It's pretty much the same process with the exception of having to pull apart clumps of down. To remove stains without washing, try putting a little Nikwax Tech Wash or Grangers Performance Wash directly onto the stain and wiping in a circular motion until the stain appears less obvious. Make sure to wipe away the detergent after treating, or wash as per the video. Harry

@@trekitt hello I have asked a ebay seller who is selling nikwax tech wash about removing stains they said it is not for that and they said it is to reproof a item

@@atifghafoor6258 Tech Wash is for washing, T.X Direct is for proofing. I think your eBay seller is telling you porky pies.

I haven't personally tried spin-drying, but most companies don't recommend it. Popping it in the sun won't harm it, just make sure to lie it flat to avoid the down falling to the bottom of the baffles. You'll also need to pull apart clumps of down more frequently in order to get the down to loft again. Harry

Anything roughly the same size and shape will work, but I wouldn't go putting apples in there. Kind regards, Harry.

@@trekitt loooool love this response

You can try, but it won't be as effective unfortunately.

@@trekitt dam. Thanks. Should I just take it to a cleaners and let them Handel it? I'm afraid of causing further damage. Can I have confidence with the cleaners that my coat is in good hands?

Pop your wet jacket down to the laundrette and find a drier with a slower spin speed. Thanks for watching.

You can handwash a down jacket, it just takes more effort to get it looking good but is totally feasible. A good sunny day is your friend here as we're guessing you'll also be without a tumble dryer to dry your down jacket afterwards. 1. Grab your marigolds and head to the sink (or bathtub, bucket or a friendly giant's cupped hands) 2. Give the jacket an initial rinse in lukewarm water, making sure all zips are closed and pockets are free of snacks, drain the water and refill with clean water 3. Use the recommended amount of down wash and agitate thoroughly in the sink making sure to give the jacket a good soak 4. Drain the water and rinse thoroughly 5. Give the jacket a good wringing to remove excess water and then hang it out to dry on the line 6. Periodically head out and start breaking apart the down clumps in the jacket to help it dry and redistribute the down 7. Enjoy the sunshine 8. Repeat step 6 until the jacket feels dry and lofted (this can take a lot longer than you'd think if air drying) 9. A hairdryer can be used to finish the drying off if there are any stubborn bits and to get the down really well lofted again 10. Remove your marigolds and question why it took until step 10 to take them off

@@trekitt thank you very much this will be very helpful and efficient🤞

Most machines have a pre-built setting for delicates. It's usually a couple of hours.

Try not to get too angry, you wont like me when I'm angry.

@@trekitt 😂😂

It will loft back, just follow the drying steps above (tumble drier with some tennis balls, periodically taking it out to pull apart the down clumps). Harry.

I put in in the tumble dryer high heat without tennis ball and its dry now.. can i still put it back in the tumble dryer even if its already dry?

@@Mmm-xk3bb If it's still flat after being dried, you may have to start from the beginning and wash it again. The key with drying these jackets is to use a low heat in the tumble drier for a longer period of time, periodically taking the jacket out, pulling the clumps of down apart and repeating until it lofts back up. The tennis balls will also help quite a bit.

Fair point. Thanks for watching.

We used the 'wool' setting while washing as it's gentler than your traditional cycle. When drying, we had the temperature set to a low heat, frequently pulling it out to pull apart the clumps. Don't be tempted to leave it in there drying for too long as it could melt the fabrics. Harry

Will still work just not as effectively.

Jamie, it's all in the drying! Thanks for watching.

Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated! Also glad you managed to save your jacket; down is pretty tough stuff but it does require a decent amount of effort, as you've rightly pointed out. Kind regards, Harry.

@Emiliano Terrell yup, been using instaflixxer for months myself :)

@Emiliano Terrell yup, I have been using instaflixxer for years myself =)

@Emiliano Terrell yea, have been watching on InstaFlixxer for since december myself =)

@Emiliano Terrell yea, have been using InstaFlixxer for since december myself :)